Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Women's Cardiac Health
The following is a list of questions for discussion with your doctor about women's cardiac health from Second Opinion.
This list of questions will provide a good starting point for a discussion with your doctor. But it is not a complete list.
- What is my blood pressure?
- What are my cholesterol numbers?
- What is my blood sugar level, and does it mean I'm at risk for diabetes?
- What is my risk for heart disease?
- What is the current condition of my heart and coronary arteries?
- What lifestyle changes (like diet, exercise, etc.) should I make to prevent heart disease?
- Do I need screening tests, even though I don't have heart disease symptoms?
- I've noticed these symptoms: ... What medical tests should I take to get an accurate diagnosis?
- How can I tell if I'm having a heart attack?
If your doctor finds evidence of heart disease:
- How dangerous is my condition?
- What lifestyle changes (like diet, exercise, etc.) should I make to treat my condition?
- What medications can I take to slow down the progression of my condition?
- What are the treatment options, and what are their benefits, risks and side effects?
- What follow-up care will I need?
- If I have pain, how will it be managed?
This article reprinted with permission from Second Opinion, a public television health program hosted by Dr. Peter Salgo and produced by WXXI (Rochester, N.Y.), West 175 and the University of Rochester Medical Center.